"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the person of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Monday, October 03, 2016

Only One Thing Is Needed

Today's Reading:Genesis 46:1-47:31Luke 10:38-11:13Psalm 17:13-15Click on Text Link to Read OnlineFocus Verses:Luke 10:41-4241 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."Insight:
It's
possible to be so busy and concerned about doing what is good that we
fail to recognize what is best. This particular encounter between Jesus,
Mary, and Martha is a good reminder of this truth. The
disciples—chosen, sent, and taught by Jesus—learned something very
important from Mary.

Martha
was commendably serving Jesus and the others. Unfortunately, it
seems that the demands of doing so made it difficult for her to enjoy
and savor the time with her guests.

Mary, on the other hand, was
so focused on simply being with Jesus and listening to what he had to
say that she left some things unattended. It was a choice and she
chose what was best. Jesus commended her for this.

Response and Action:
I
do not want to be so busy with the business of life—even Christian
service—that I have no time to enjoy Jesus. I must take time to simply
be with him, to pray, and to delight in the word. The most necessary
thing is to know Jesus, to delight in his presence, and to abide in
him.

I also want to cultivate my ability to truly be
with family and Christian friends. I must be intentional about being
with them and enjoying them, not simply serving them. I want to choose
what is best.

O God, help me
to glorify
you and enjoy you all my days. Thank you for Jesus, my Messiah, my
Lord, my Savior, and my God. Grant me the blessing of knowing him as
my friend, my brother, and my faithful companion. Help me to sense his
presence and delight in it. Give me a heart to serve Christ, O God, but first
give me a heart to love him. Give me a hunger and affection for the
scriptures. Give me a desire to pray. Give me a fullness of the Spirit
of Christ and a deep awareness of his indwelling every minute of my
life. I ask all this in his name. Amen.Spiritual Formation Verses: Colossians 3:1-31
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on
things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set
your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and
your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

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About Me

I serve as the lead pastor with Valley Christian Church in Lakeville, MN and publish two blogs – Altered Faces (Faith, Humor, Life, and the Arts) and Useful Breath (a daily journal for Bible readers). You can contact me through my website which also has information about my music and ministry.